Stocking stretcher



Jan. 3, 1933. .1. T. BLOSSOM STOCKING STRETCHER Filed Nov. 24,- 1950Patented Jan. 3, 1933 JOHN T. BLOSSOM, or SHAKER HEIGHTS, OHIO STOCKINGsranrcana Applieationfiled November '24, ratio. ise i i magmas.

This invention relates to stocking stretcher-s and more'particularly todevices of this character adapted to be used as drying frames forpreventing shrinking of hosiery of all kinds, the disclosedembodimentbeing adapt ed for use particularly with Wool golf stockin 's.

Tt is an object of the inventionto provide means for gripping the openend of the stockimum possibility of tearing the material.

Further objects are to simplify and improve the construction andoperation 'of devices of this character, to construct them so as torender them adaptable by adjustment for stockings of difierent sizes, torender them economical to manufacture, convenient to use, and otherwisewell adapted for the purposes intended. 1

Other objects and features'of novelty will be apparent as the followingdescription proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,in'which Figure 1 is an elevation of a stocking stretcher according tothe preferred embodiment of the present invention. 7

Fig. 2 is a detail view of the upper portion of the structure shown inFig. 1, certain parts being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the structure shown in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the clamping ring shown in section in Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the draw- 'ing, the stocking stretchercomprises a frame indicated generally at 10. This frame is generallyfiat, with rounded edges in the general outline of a stocking, one endof the frame constituting a foot portion 11. Slidably mounted on theother end of the frame 10 is a clamping head indicated generally at 12.

The frame 10, including the foot portion 11, may be a continuous roundor tubular element, but in the form shown, a toe portion 13 is providedas a separate element which is adjustable with respect to the mainportion of the frame. This element is preferably a solid round rod bentinto a U-shape.

In the embodiment of the frame 10 shown in Fig. 1, the front portionthereof comprises rear side ofthe'franie 10 comprises a tubular 50 mg inorder to stretch the same, with a mina. tubular element 14, which issubstantially. straight for the greater part thereof,'being curvedforward at the lower end and terminating in a straight arch portion 15.The r element 16,] the upper part of which is straight,and'the lowerportion of which is curved inwardly forming an ankle portion 1 7, a ndfurther deformed to provide a heel portion 18 and a sole portion 19. Theele- 69 ments 14 and 16 may be seamless drawn tubes, but this is notessential as they may be of any desired construction, such as flatstrips of sheet metal rolled into tabular form. The elements 14 and 16are preferably secured together by astrut member 20 at anintermediateportion and a web 21adjacent the heel portion 18. The soleand arch portions 15 and 119 are also preferably connected by a strut22. The stay members 20, 21 and 22 are preferably ,w'elded at each end,but may be otherwise secured in position as desired.

As shown inFig. 1 the legs of the U-shaped toe member 13 are slidably'received in the tubular sole and arch portions 15 and 19, so V as toadjust the frame to different foot sizes. 7 The parts are held inadjusted position by a clamping device 25;

The clamping head 12 which is slidably mounted on the frame 10 adjacentthe upper end thereof, is constructed to slidably receive the tubularmembers 14 and 16. The head 12 isprovided with sloping side walls 26,which converge away from the foot portion 11. A clamping ring 30 shownin detail in Fig 4;, is adapted to be fitted down over the sloping sides26 and. engage the same with a Wedge action. The member 12 is preferablyIhollowon its lower side and provided on its upper side with a handle32.

The hollow construction affords a recess 33 which houses a clamp,indicated generally at 34,being of a constructionidentical with theclamp 25 fortheadjustable toe portion 13.

The clamps '25 and 34'comprise essentially a leaf spring 35, securedatits mid .portion to a transverse wall 36 of the member 12, as by a rivet37. Both endsof the spring 35 are freeand inclined away fromt'he wall36,;each end being'providedwith a finger piece 38 eX- clamping action.

and which also serve to retain the clamping' ring 30, whlch 1s otherwlseloosely and freely mountedwith respect to the upper ends of thetubularmembers 14- and 16. In operation, the toe member 13 is adjusted to thedesired foot size and retained in ad justedposition by the clamp 25. Theopen end 'of the stocking is then drawn'up over the foot portion 11 ontothe frame 10, the upper end then being drawn over the clamping head 12.The clamping ring 30 is then forced down over the upper end .42 of thestocking as shown in Fig. 2, and the coac tion of the clamping ring 30with the slopin sides 26 will exert a firm friction ri onthe upper'endof the stocking and thus secure it to the sliding head 12. It will bereadily apparent that by merely grasping the handle 32 and exerting anupward force thereon, the

stoclring may be stretched to the tension desired, the clamp 34: servingto retaln the head in a position to hold this tension. To release thestocking, the ring 30 may be drawn up-' ward, thus unclamping the upperend of the stocking so that the same may be withdrawn from the frame.The finger pieces 38 of the clamp 34lare then drawntogether to releasethe clamp. so that the head 12 may be lowered to a position ready toreceive another stock-1 1n w I p I T Vhile one embodiment of theinvention has been illustrated and described in such detail as to enableanyone skilled in the art to practice the invention, nevertheless it isto be understood that the scope of the'inven-v tion is not to be limitedto any of the details disclosed, other: than as necessitated by thedevelopment of the prior art but1instead,"it1 will be appreciated thatthe invention embraces such embodiments of the broad idea as fall withinthe scope of the appended claims, it being obvious that various changesmay be resorted to with respect to the disclosed embodiment withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

. 1. A stocking stretcher comprising a frame having a foot portion atone end thereof,a, head slidably mounted on said frame adjacent theother end thereof, said head having 7 tapered sides, and a clamping ringadapted to be wedged over said tapered sides.

2. A stocking stretcher comprising a frame having a foot portion at oneend thereof, a head slidable on said frame adjacent the other endthereof, a handle on said head, and resilient means within said headadapted to engage said frame for holding said head in adjustedpositions.

3. A stocking stretcher comprising a pair of tubes, a strut rigidlyconnecting said tubes and holding the same in substantially parallelspaced relation, a U-shaped member having the legs thereoftelescopically mounted in the ends of said tubes, and resilient meansfor adjustably clamping said legs in said tubes.

4t. In a stocking stretcher having a pair of parallel cylindricalmembers and a relatively slidablebridge piecetherebetween, means forholding said members and bridge piece in relatively adjustedpositions,comprising a leaf spring secured intermediate its ends to said bridgepiece, with the ends of said spring engaging said cylindrical members,and finger pieces secured to both end portions of said spring andadapted to be moved toward each other to thereby release the engagementof the ends. p

A stocking stretcher having in combination a frame having a foot portionat one end thereof, a head slidably mounted on said frame, said headhaving tapered sides, 'a clamping ring adapted to be wedged over thetapered sides of the head, and resilient means within said head adaptedto engage said frame for holding said head in adjusted positions. i

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

' JOHN T. BLOSSOM.

